Douglas H. Johnson Profile

Attorney Douglas H. Johnson is Ms. Zellner's partner in her practice. Douglas H. Johnson assists Ms. Zellner in select civil cases further concentrating in the area of criminal law, defending individuals accused of First Degree Murder, drug offenses, and other major felonies. Johnson has successfully obtained favorable results and ultimate release of many individuals, often after they have been forced to serve lengthy periods of incarceration.

In 2007 Mr. Johnson was selected as a Leading Lawyer in the areas of Constitutional Law and Appellate Law. This designation represents the top 5 pecent of all lawyers in Illinois. Selection is made on the basis of a statewide survey of all Illinois lawyers.

In one early case prior to the implementation of new laws regarding DNA testing, Johnson represented a man that had served over a decade in prison pursuant to his conviction for sexual assault. After he obtained a court order permitting DNA testing, the State's Attorney Office advised that the evidence sought to be tested could not be located. Johnson forced a hearing and argued that if the evidence sought to be tested could not be located, the man should be released due to the State's actions in losing the evidence. As a result of the hearing, the State produced the evidence and ultimately, Johnson proved the man's innocence. He was released from prison shortly thereafter.

In other cases, Johnson has successfully overturned convictions including those for First Degree Murder. In one 1997 matter, a man was convicted of Murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison, with a release date of 2028. Johnson took over the case, presented an appeal to the Illinois Appellate Court and obtained a reversal of the conviction. On retrial, Johnson argued that the man had acted in self defense. The jury found the man not guilty of First Degree Murder. He was released in time to celebrate Christmas of 1998. In another case, after Johnson successfully overturned a conviction for Arson With the Intent To Defraud on appeal, the State chose not to engage in a retrial and dismissed the charges.

Johnson has helped clients achieve favorable results in other matters. He was involved in the first case in Illinois wherein an individual sentenced to death was subsequently found unfit for execution. He also negotiated a favorable resolution for an individual accused of operating one of the largest indoor marijuana growing operations in Illinois history. In juvenile cases, he has often been able to convince the court to allow delinquent minors a second chance.

Mr. Johnson has recently successfully secured victories for clients in numerous cases. These cases include the case of Charles Dodds; a man convicted of double murder and sentenced to life in prison in the mid-1980s. Johnson argued that the prosecution's misuse of evidence at Mr. Dodds trial required a new hearing. The Appellate Court agreed, issuing a published opinion that will likely guide the manner in which future courts evaluate certain types of DNA evidence.

In the cases of Sherman Taylor and Robert Murphy, Johnson was successful in substantially reducing the periods of incarceration they will serve. Mr. Murphy was convicted of murder in 1996 and sentenced to fifty years in prison. After a post conviction hearing, the court accepted Johnson's argument on Mr. Murphy's behalf and now, Mr. Murphy will be released no later than 2008. Mr. Taylor was also granted a new sentencing hearing after Johnson's work on his appeal, making it likely he will be released from prison after serving only a small portion of his original sentence.

On the civil side, Johnson recently convinced the Appellate Court to reverse a lower courts decision in a medical malpractice case. In that case, brought by Zellner & Associates on behalf of the mother of a deceased infant, the trial court had held a county hospital immune from suit and the case was dismissed. However, Johnson argued on appeal that the trial court had ruled incorrectly, and the Appellate Court agreed. After the successful appeal, Kathleen Zellner obtained a substantial recovery for the deceased infant's mother.

 

Johnson wins appeal, conducts evidentiary hearing, and first degree murder defendant’s sentence cut in half. 

Johnson wins appeal in suit against Cook County Hospital, defeating hospital’s claims of immunity from suit.

Johnson drafts complaint in lawsuit brought against police for failure to protect woman murdered by her husband.

Johnson defeats detectives’ motion to dismiss federal civil rights case on behalf of individual wrongfully arrested and charged.

Johnson prevails on appeal in landmark case involving application of recent technology to decades old evidence.

Johnson defeats City’s motions to dismiss complaint brought by man that suffered severe cardiac damage / City deemed not immune from suit.